Phase 1 – September 1, 2019
Starting September 1, 2019, builders and designers should submit building permits that meet Step 1 of the Energy Step Code for Part 9 new residential buildings.
Submissions that meet Step 1 of the Energy Step Code for Part 9 will follow a faster building permit review stream. Depending on the volume of applications, applicants may see a shorter wait time of up to 2 weeks. View current Permit Wait Times.
For Part 3 commercial buildings, Step 1 requirements will start for Development Permits (DP) made on or after September 1, 2019. This is to accommodate the energy model to meet Step 1, and for any impacts the modeling makes on the form and character of the building. Incentives will be offered for submissions meeting Step 3 or higher.
The City is relying on the Registered Professionals (RPs) who are submitting the Letters of Assurance (LOAs) for compliance to Step 1 for Part 3 buildings after September 1, 2019. Applications must have the Energy Model completed by a Registered Professional and the City will be requesting a copy of the Provincial Part 3 Compliance Form for Energy Step Code as part of the permit intake.
Phase 2 - October 1, 2020
The Step Code implementation date for new Part 9 buildings, including single family dwellings, was postponed due to Covid-19. The new Step Code implementation date is Oct. 1, 2020.
Meeting Step 1 of the Energy Step Code for Houses
The Energy Step Code Step 1 involves the following:
- Engaging a Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) early in the design so that the CEA can perform an energy assessment using one of the approved softwares, most likely “Hot2000”;
- Submission of the Provincial Part 9 Compliance Form as part of the permit intake package;
- Performing a mid-construction blower door test for airtightness, unless air-tight drywall is used;
- Performing a post construction blower door test to get an air-exchange rate reading of the airtightness of the building; the air-exchange rate is fed back into the energy model program to confirm compliance and to obtain an Energuide rating;
- Submit the Energuide rating to NRCan.
For specific information on changes to the permitting, review and inspections processes, please review the Building Division Bulletins on the Part 9 Buildings and Bulletins for Part 3 Buildings.
